We are not amused - Kayak

The Dutch band Kayak was famous in the Seventies and early Eighties, but still their singles are very hard to find. So whenever I see one these days, I pick it up. In this case, I didn't even know the song - but I wasn't disappointed. Kayak makes very beautiful rock songs, sometimes with a hard edge, and sometimes it's just all peachy.

'We are not amused' was released in May 1975 and failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4739
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'We are not amused' / 'Serenades'

Love is an ocean - Earth and Fire

'Love is an ocean' was another single taken from Earth & Fire's 1981 album 'Andromeda girl'. The song was written by Bert Ruiter and lead singer Jerney Kaagman.

The single, released in February 1982, failed to reach the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 4738
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Love is an ocean' / 'You'

Treat me like a lady - Five Star

'Treat me like a lady' was recorded in Five Star's new high-tech studio in the grounds of their family home, Stone Court in Ascot, Berkshire. The studio reportedly cost them £2.5 million. It was their first single for their new record label, Epic.

The single was released in a limited edition envelope pack, including five square 7" photographic prints. It reached number 54 in the UK singles chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 1196
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, 1990
Cost: 8 guilders
Tracks: 'Treat me like a lady' / 'Don't stop'

Adult education - Daryl Hall and John Oates

When Daryl Hall & John Oates released the compilation album 'Rock 'n Soul part 1' in 1984, 'Adult education' was a new track on that album, and released as a single to promote the compilation.

Someone thought it would be a good idea to do the same in 1991, when the compilation 'Looking back' was released. Of course, this single flopped.

My collection: 7" single no. 4742
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 0,5 euro
Tracks: 'Adult education' / 'Rich girl'

I want to break free - Queen

The song 'I want to break free' is more famous for its music video than for its music. Directed by David Mallet, the video was a parody of the northern British soap opera 'Coronation Street'. In it, the band members of Queen dressed in drag, as mildly similar characters found in the soap at the time. The video also featured a ballet piece with the Royal Ballet.

The single reached number 1 in Austria, Belgium, New Zealand, Finland and the Netherlands and peaked at number 3 in the UK singles chart. In the USA, the single only reached number 45. Again, this is explained by the music video, as many people in the USA failed to see the soap-opera connection and interpreted the video as an open declaration of transvestitism and Mercury’s homosexuality. The narrowmindedness of these people prevented all of Queen's singles to reach the top 40 in the USA until 'The show must go on' reached number 2 in 1991.

My collection: 7" single no. 4737
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'I want to break free' / 'Machines (or 'Back to humans')'

Rag doll - Aerosmith

The lyric of 'Rag doll' was primarily written by Steven Tyler and Jim Vallance. The song was originally titled 'Rag time' but when Holly Knight was called in to help change the lyric, she suggested 'Rag doll'. This was actually another title Steven and Jim thought of, but Holly ended up getting credits just for two words. Steven was horrified about this and often complained to his manager.

The single peaked at number 17 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number 42 in the UK singles chart and number 19 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 721
Found: Free Record Shop, Den Haag, January 21, 1989
Cost: 6 guilders
Tracks: 'Rag doll' / 'St. John'

Baggy trousers - Madness

'Baggy trousers' was included on Madness' 1980 album 'Absolutely' and released as a single in September 1980. Written by lead singer Suggs, the lyric of the song reminisces on school days. The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980.

The single reached number 3 in the UK singles chart and number 4 in the Dutch Top 40. In the UK, it was the eleventh best-selling single of 1980.

My collection: 7" single no. 4736
Found: Record fair, Rijswijk, April 5, 2010
Cost: 1 euro
Tracks: 'Baggy trousers' / 'The business'